In his second inspired letter, the apostle John wrote: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him. For the one who says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works.”—2 John 10, 11.
In stating that Christians should not even “say a greeting,” was John adding to the apostle Paul’s direction found at 1 Corinthians 5:11 “to stop keeping company” with people who had been removed from the congregation? Were John and Paul discussing the same kind of sin? Evidently not.
Consider the differences between the circumstances addressed by each apostle. Paul wrote with regard to a man who was committing sexual immorality. About 43 years later, John wrote with regard to apostates and others who actively promote false teachings and wrong conduct. For example, some were teaching that Jesus was not the Christ.—1 John 2:22; 4:2, 3.
When John wrote his letters, apostasy was widespread. Although he knew that he could not prevent it, he fulfilled his responsibility as an apostle to act “as a restraint” against apostasy by holding it back as long as possible.—2 Thess. 2:7.
Thus, John warned fellow believers to avoid being fooled by these deceivers and false teachers. He directed Christians never to accept such ones into their homes or even to greet them. Greeting someone who promotes falsehood would give him an opening for presenting his twisted, corrupt teachings. Something similar could happen if a person commented on apostate computer blogs or social media. Anyone who would welcome an apostate with a greeting would become “a sharer in his wicked works.”
By contrast, Paul wrote with regard to a man who had to be removed from the congregation for sexual immorality, as indicated in 1 Corinthians chapter 5. But that man was apparently not an apostate; nor was he actively teaching others to violate God’s standards. (Compare Revelation 2:20.) So while Paul directed those in the congregation to stop keeping company with him—not even eating with him—he did not state that they must never say a simple greeting.